Monkey Matters theatre reviews
Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Reindeer Monologues review, The Lion

by Shyama Perera

Has Father Christmas, alleged sex pest and paedophile, raped one of his reindeer? After the eight Reindeer Monologues, it's clear that old St Nick is a lot less ho-ho-ho than the cartoonists would have us believe. He has traumatised Cupid, who enjoys a salty lick below the haunch from fellow quadrupeds but not from his boss, and Rudolf is in a padded cell after a murky incident in the snow.

Now Vixen - the aptly named Sammy Kissin - is claiming he's done a lot worse. Has he? At the end of ninety minutes only one thing is certain: life at the North Pole will never appear charmed again. There's insurrection in the ranks and heartache behind the smiles and while no elves are visibly harmed in the production of this piece, it will be hard to imagine Mrs Christmas without one attached to her naked body as a live, screaming, merkin.

The theatre space upstairs at The Lion in Stoke Newington Church Street is kitted out with the comfiest sofas and at Ł5 a ticket is worth buying just to sit there, let alone to enjoy a small and zesty production from new theatre group, eleven11. Two or three of Jeff Goode's eight Reindeer Monologues are very funny and all have a witty and watchable charm.

In conclusion: The subject matter is serious despite the lightness of the setting and treatment. Some judicious reshaping of the narrative line and more incisive direction could turn this well executed eight-hander into a favourite perennial.